From left, Army golf coach Brian Watts, players Justin Pagila, Peter Kim and Steven Pedersen and assistant coach Richard Brazeau on the 10th tee at West Point G.C.

The focus is on the juniors for the remainder of this month, so we must first congratulate Jesse Clemente, Tom Brasco and Maggie Garin on winning their divisions in the North Central Kiwanis Junior tournament.

Talented Mike Young of Monsignor Farrell won the PGA Junior at LaTourette with a round of 75, finishing 3 strokes ahead of the field.

The youngsters will continue to compete with the Jody’s Classic at Silver Lake beginning Tuesday with qualifying rounds. The low eight players in the boys’ 15-18s group, the low four in the junior boys’ division and the low four in the girls’ group will qualify for match play that culminates in finals Thursday at Silver Lake.

The 31st annual Bob Lowney Junior will be held as usual at Richmond County CC on Tuesday, July 23. The Lowney Junior was a spin-off of the popular Bob Lowney Pro-Am which brought PGA tour pros to RCCC for 25 successive years and raised enough money each year to present 14 $1,000 scholarships to local high school athletes as well as turn over enough money to offset junior green fees at local courses.

The Pro-Am, originated by Bob Britton and friends of the late Bob Lowney, thrived for a quarter-century with the help of Bob and Bill Britton, Jim Albus, Skip Tellefsen and Bernie Kosinski as just part of the committee.

The Pro-Am was discontinued in 2008, but thanks to Tellefsen and Bob Britton, the Lowney Junior goes on with three divisions. The day’s activities include a clinic, a round of golf and an awards barbecue dinner at the newly renovated RCCC course.

Entries are being accepted until Friday (July 12) with forms available at all local courses as well as the Staten Island Golf Practice Center. Forms must be sent to Mr. Bob Britton, 31 Chad Lane, Howell, N.J., 07731 with a $25 check for entry fee.

Tellefsen, who tries to give this junior tournament as professional a feel as possible, is seeking volunteers to work the event as scorekeepers, marshals and other positions. If you are available and wish to contribute your time to this worthy event call Tellefsen at 718-273-7679.

A large percentage of juniors who played in this event have gone on to college golf, a solid foundation — and even the professional ranks. 

MORE ON JUNIORS 

Steven Pedersen, 18, was a junior player at Silver Lake who made his mark by winning the Staten Island Junior Amateur, qualifying for the Met Open and becoming the youngest qualifier for the MGA/Ike tournament.

During his high school career he captained the Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS to the All Conference State Tournament for the first time in 33 years and finished second in the county championship. He was a regular in Staten Island junior events and played many AJGA and other junior events around the country.

On July 1, Pedersen made a life-changing move and is now a member of the entering class at the United States Military Academy, where he will compete on the men’s golf team.

Pedersen is obviously in good company with the likes of standout golfers Peter Kim, a graduate of Metuchen HS in New Jersey, and Justin Pagila of De La Salle HS in Dublin, Calif. Both players have set or tied course records and established great golf biographies while in high school.

Coach Brian Watts invited the families of all three players to the West Point Golf Course last week to play a round with the new cadets, enjoy a luncheon and meet with officers of the USMA.

Bill Britton, who has been coaching Pedersen for the past five years, joined the group to play and give his student a good send-off. Britton recently set a record by winning the NJPGA Senior Open for the third consecutive year at Navasink Country Club. 